Rep. Manning Files Bill To Ban Online Sweepstakes Gaming In Indiana

Indiana state Rep. Ethan Manning has filed legislation to ban online sweepstakes casinos as momentum to outlaw the dual-currency platforms appears set to continue into 2026.

Manning, who is also chair of Indiana’s Public Policy Committee in the lower chamber, submitted HB 1052 on Friday. The bill is a series of amendments to multiple administrative law codes. Specific to online sweeps, HB 1052 both defines and establishes civil penalties for operating within the Hoosier State.

The filing comes as sweeps operators have endured a withering 2025 on the legislative front, with six states banning them in the calendar year after New York was the latest to do so over the weekend. Similar bills closed off two of the other largest markets in the U.S. in New Jersey and California.

Operators are also effectively banned in Louisiana via the attorney general’s opinion and in West Virginia due to subpeonas issued. There are also multiple states that have issued cease-and-desist orders to sweeps operators.

Language within the bill

HB 1052 defines “sweepstakes game” as a “game, contest, or promotion available on various forms online that: (1) utilizes a dual-currency system of payment allowing a player to exchange currency for a cash prize, cash award, or cash equivalents or a chance to win a cash prize, cash award, or cash equivalents; and (2) simulates casino-style gaming, including slot machines, video poker, table games, lottery games, bingo, and sports wagering.”

The bill establishes a civil fine of $100,000 against an “operator or individual” who knowingly conducts an online sweeps contest in Indiana or creates a transaction that includes someone in the state of Indiana.

Manning’s bill is not as far reaching as legislation proposed in other states. There is no mention of civil penalties for entities connected to the sweeps operators and their platforms such as geolocation providers, gaming manufacturers, suppliers, or media affiliates.

Manning did attempt to make a distinction in separating online sweepstakes casinos from other forms of sweepstakes in the bill, noting the term “sweepstakes game” does not include “any other device played for amusement that rewards a player exclusively with a toy, a novelty, candy, other noncash merchandise, or a ticket or coupon redeemable for a toy, a novelty, or other noncash merchandise that has a wholesale value of not more than the lesser of ten (10) times the amount charged to play the amusement device one (1) time or twenty-five dollars ($25).”

Another run at online casino legalization?

Manning is one of the primary legislators in Indiana when it comes to possibly legalizing online casino gaming, though it is not certain if his bill to ban online sweeps is tied to another run at bringing iGaming to the Hoosier State.

That has struggled to gain traction in multiple Assembly sessions throughout the decade, including earlier this year when it failed to advance through the Ways and Means Committee. Manning had delivered HB 1432 out of Public Policy after attempts at legalization stalled in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Indiana legislators opted not to bring iCasino bills up in the statehouse last year due to the conviction of former Indiana Rep. Sean Eberhart, who pled guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana. Prosecutors said he used his position and voted in favor of “terms favorable” for Spectacle Gaming to relocate two casinos in the state in exchange for a position with Spectacle for a $350,000 annual salary.